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Showing posts with label Derek Prince. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derek Prince. Show all posts

Tuesday 9 January 2018

CHARLATAN DEREK PRINCE: DEMONS AND CURSES!

Pentecostal minister Derek Prince operated in the pseudo ministry of deliverance and demonology during the late 1900's. In his vanity, Prince rejected the use of the term "demon possessed", falsely claiming that it was a mistranslation due to its implication of "ownership". He then proceeded to redefine and water-down "demoniac" to "demonize", a word that is unknown in the scriptures. Demonize comes from Medieval Latin: to be subject to the influence of demons.. from Medieval Latin daemonizāre, equivalent to Late Latin daemon demon + -izāre -ize {1} Having borrowed the spurious general category "demonize" from Medieval Latin, Prince taught that non-Christians, and also the majority of Christians are demonized.

Lie No 1: A demon cannot "possess” a non-Christian.
Lie No 2: The majority of committed Christians are "demonized" i.e. they can be indwelt by demons.
Lie No 3: Many Christians come under ancestral curses, going back hundreds or even thousands of years.

Derek Prince: "Three different Greek expressions normally used to describe the influence of demons:
1. To have an unclean/evil spirit. See Matt. 11:18; Mark 7:25; 9:17; Luke 4:33; 8:27; 13:11; John 7:20; 8:48–49, 52; 10:20–21.
2. To be in an unclean/evil spirit (Modern English—to be under the influence of) See Mark 1:23; 5:2. 3. To be demonized. KJV incorrectly translates to be “possessed with devils.” There is nothing in the Greek to support the word “possessed,” which is completely misleading. See Matt. 4:24; 8:16, 28, 33; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22; Mark 1:32; 5:15, 16, 18; Luke 8:36."
{2}


Prince's three classifications above are completely bogus. In particular, the Greek verb δαιμονίζομαι, English demoniac, translates: I am demon-possessed. Definition: I am possessed, am under the power of an evil-spirit or demon.{3} Prince's statement that the Greek does not support "possessed" is completely false. Not only Strong's Greek 1139, but ALL the accepted Greek dictionaries and lexicons define δαιμονίζομαι in exactly the same way:

BAGD “be possessed by a demon”

EDNT, ed. Balz & Schneider, 1:274 “be possessed by a demon”
LSJ “to be possessed by a demon”
Louw-Nida, 1:147 (§12.41) “to be possessed by a demon”
NIDNTT, ed. Brown, 1:453 “be possessed by a demon”
TDNT, ed. Kittel, 2:19 “To be possessed by a demon”
UBS Greek Dictionary “to be demon possessed” {4} 

1. To have (ἔχω) a demon as in Matthew 11:18; Mark 7:25; 9:17; Luke 4:33; 8:27; 13:11; John 7:20; 8:48–49, 52; 10:20–21.

The Greek verb in question is ἔχω = I have, hold, possess {5} 

The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have (ἔχεις) a demon! (John 8:52).

Other examples:

And the same John had (εἶχεν) his raiment of camel's hair.. (Matthew 3:4).
We have (ἔχομεν) Abraham as our father.. (Matthew 3:9).
I have (ἔχω) the keys of Death and Hades. (Revelation 1:18).

ἐκβάλλω = to expel, to drive, cast or send out. {6} 
ἐξέρχομαι: to go or come out of . {7} 

And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has (ἔχοντα) a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out (ἐκβάλωσιν), and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out (ἔξελθε) of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:17-29). 

2.
Mark 1:23; 5:2. "..a man with an unclean spirit."

And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him (ἔξελθε)!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him (ἐξῆλθεν). (Mark 1:23-26). ..And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. (Mark 5:3-5).

Notably, the demons, not the man responded to Jesus in both cases:

“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us?( Mark 1:24)
“My name is Legion, for we are many.” (Mark 5:9).


3. ..they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons (demoniacs), those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. (Matthew 4:24). Other translations have "demon possessed".

We are not given specific details in every instance, but the context in all the examples that Prince gives is that of control/possession as in δαιμονίζομαι, demoniac.

Further weight is added to the argument against Prince's eisegesis, in that the New Testament gives no example of a Christian having been inhabited by a demon, or having a demon "cast out”. In fact such a thing is an impossibility since Christ has delivered genuine converts to Christianity from the domain of darkness and transferred them to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13). Furthermore, true believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. (1 John 4:4). A Christian may be tempted, deceived and harassed by a demon/demons from without, but he/she does not need to be “delivered” by some strange occult formula based on spurious translations from the Greek invented by Derek Prince!

Further Evidence:


δαιμονίζομαι; 1 aorist passive participle δαιμονισθείς; (δαίμων); to be under the power of a demon: ἄλλος κατ' ἄλλην δαιμονίζεται τυχην, Philemon 1 in Stobaeus, ecl. phys. 1, p. 196; of the insane, Plutarch, symp. 7, 5, 4, and in other later authors. In the N. T. δαιμονιζόμενοι are persons afflicted with especially severe diseases, either bodily or mental (such as paralysis, blindness, deafness, loss of speech, epilepsy, melancholy, insanity, etc.), whose bodies in the opinion of the Jews demons (see δαιμόνιον) had entered, and so held possession of them as not only to afflict them with ills, but also to dethrone the reason and take its place themselves; accordingly, the possessed were accustomed to express the mind and consciousness of the demons dwelling in them; and their cure was thought to require the expulsion of the demon — (but on this subject see B. D. American edition under the word Demoniacs and references there; Weiss, Leben Jesu, book iii., chapter 6): Matthew 4:24; Matthew 8:16, 28, 33; Matthew 9:32; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 15:22; Mark 1:32; Mark 5:15; John 10:21; δαιμονισθείς, that had been possessed by a demon (demons), Mark 5:18; Luke 8:36. They are said also to be ὀχλούμενοι ὑπό or ἀπό πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων, Luke 6:18 (T Tr WH ἐνοχλούμενοι); Acts 5:16; καταδυναστευόμενοι ὑπό τοῦ διαβόλου, i. e. by his ministers, the demons, Acts 10:38. {3}

Ancestral Curses?

Prince claimed that many Christians come under generational curses, "going back hundreds or even thousands of years". {8} This outrageous claim is completely demolished by the scriptures:

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.. (Deuteronomy 7:9 cf. Deuteronomy 5:9-10).

Those who have not accepted Jesus Christ may very well be under an ancestral curse/curses, but even if this is the case, God's mercy is such that retrospective curses are not effective for more than three or four generations, much less thousands of years! A generation in human terms typically ranges from 22 to 32 years.{9} An ancestral curse is therefore not effectual for longer than 128 years at the most (Numbers 14:18).

..for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.. (Deuteronomy 5:9 cf. Exodus 34:7).

Curses apply to those that hate God, not to Christians! Prince argued not from the scriptures, which are silent on the matter, rather he brought examples from his own subjective experience and various "words from the Lord", in order to attach believers to the various Old Testament curses laid out in Deuteronomy. The Deuteronomy curses were pronounced by the Levitical priests and were to be set up on Mount Ebal after the Israelites had entered the promised land. The future curses pronounced were the inevitable result turning away from God and breaking the law of Moses.  Moses made no reference either to residual curses left from the time the Israelites spent in slavery in Egypt, or the generation that sinned and died in the wilderness. (Numbers 32:13; Hebrews 3:17). I am referring to types and shadows in the OT (I Corinthians 10:11), i.e. Egypt is a type of sin; Pharaoh is a type of Satan. Deliverance from Egypt was complete once Israel came through the Red Sea: For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. (Exodus 14:13).

As already stated, Prince goes back thousands of years, not three or four generations. Secondly, we are speaking specifically about curses upon the Israelites, not NT believers. Thirdly, all who rely on works of the law are under a curse - this obviously excludes NT believers. (Galatians 3:10). At Sinai, Moses sprinkled the blood of animals on the altar and upon the people who entered into covenant with God. (Exodus 24: 3-8). Once the Israelites entered into the covenant at Sinai, what God required was obedience. Since we are to make parallels with the Israelites as believers, then we must concede that once the Israelites came out of Egypt, ancestral curses were non existent. The New Testament identifies the problem: their hearts turned back to Egypt (Acts 7:9; cf. Deuteronomy 30:17). Similarly if we disobey the Law of Christ i.e. the New Testament commandments (John 13:34), then inevitably, there will be consequences (1 Corinthians 10:11). Notice that the key is obedience, forgetting those things that lie behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.(Philippians 3:13). When we do fail for any reason, then we need to repent. The unbiblical machinations of Derek Prince threaten to undermine faith and destroy our peace in Christ and cause us go backwards into bondage, curses, death and darkness!

Satan is in the business of sowing doubt and unbelief! God has not placed heavy burdens upon believers concerning the effect of sins committed in past generations! On the contrary! 
THE TRUTH: Anyone who has genuine faith in Jesus Christ is transformed into a new creation upon conversion: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4 cf. Isaiah 43:18; Ezekiel 36:26). If any ancestral curses did exist before we were converted, the moment we were born again they were obliterated.. we passed from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). Believers have no remit to go digging around in the past looking for ancestral curses! Jesus Christ has blessed true believers with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3 cf. Philippians 3:13). Can a person be blessed and cursed at the same time? The flesh and the world also play their part when Christians experience problems, but ancestral curses are never given as a cause for difficulties in the New Testament. (Luke 4:18; John 8:32-36; Romans 8:2).

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— (Galatians 3:13).

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Can those who have become righteous through Christ's obedience be under a curse?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.. (Ephesians 1:3). Can Christians be blessed and cursed at the same time?

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14)

The question of ancestral curses is completely demolished when we realise that under the new covenant Christians follow Jesus Christ and that He superseded the Law. We should understand that God calls believers to faithfully follow His Word, and that there are consequences, even curses for apostasy and disobedience
. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9). Ironically, in preaching a gospel contrary to the scriptures, Prince himself would have been under a self inflicted curse.

Prince's false teachings are aimed at seriously undermining the faith of Christians. Just as those who infiltrated the church at Galatia, pseudo "deliverance ministries" come to spy out the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into bondage.(Galatians 2:4).

Derek Prince was either a deceiver or he had no knowledge of the subject in which professed to be an "expert", as demonstrated by his inability to translate the Greek δαιμονίζομαι correctly, and his reversion to Old Testament curses which have no practical application to the new covenant. In addition, Prince's "heavy shepherding" fiasco really does highlight that he was operating in the flesh and not in the Spirit. This despicable false teacher caused devastating problems in the lives of many believers throughout his alleged "ministry". Tragically, Derek Prince Ministries continues to distribute his false teachings and trains missionaries, church leaders, and congregations through the outreaches of more than thirty DPM offices around the world. {10} Beware of these lethal false teachings. {11}

We can finally put to bed any idea that Derek Prince was a genuine bible teacher when we discover his early betrayal and his involvement with the Vatican:

Early Betrayal: In 1974 the founders of the Shepherding Movement aka the Fort Lauderdale Five (FL5) formed a secret council and an ecumenical alliance. In 1977 the FL5 secretly met Cardinal Suenens in Israel where they made a joint covert declaration to work together for the restoration of the unity of the Church. The council agreed to relate directly to Cardinal Suenens and to consult him before planning or implementing projects, evangelism, etc. In other words, the FL5 sold out and capitulated to Vatican control.

The General Council Minutes of The “Ft. Lauderdale” Elders makes very interesting reading! This document was obstructed and suppressed for a long time for obvious reasons: “The fuller picture is how these men wove themselves into a multi-apostasy which includes the RCC, the mother of whores.” {12}

The suggestion that ancestral curses have to be dealt with in an extrabiblical manner by some charismatic curse-buster or guru is to declare that the cross alone is deficient. 

This post was written to further enlarge upon the ongoing discussion in the comments of my original post: 
DEREK PRINCE FALSE TEACHER WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING!!!
See also: THE CURSE OF DEREK PRINCE FALSE TEACHER!!!
https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/the-curse-of-derek-prince.html 

Wednesday 15 June 2016

THE CURSE OF DEREK PRINCE FALSE TEACHER!!!

Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. (Luke 11:35)

How deceiver Derek Prince had the audacity to stand in front of born again, blood bought believers in Jesus Christ and tell them that "many" were, in all likelihood, under an ancestral curse is totally beyond me! I am writing this second post about Derek Prince because there are those who are associated with Derek Prince Ministries (DPM) who protest a little too loudly that I do not understand Prince's teaching about curses and blessings. Very sadly, I can say that I do understand all too well. I have re-visited this subject in order to reiterate my warnings about the deviant teachings of this man.

Derek Prince claimed to show three things in his ten part teaching about curses and blessings: 1, what the symptoms are of being under a curse; 2, where curses can come from, and 3, how to be free: How To Pass From Curse to Blessing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOhODrm67k

Prince claimed that many Christians come under generational curses, going back hundreds or even thousands of years.{1} According to the scriptures however, a familial curse is not effective for longer than 128 years at the most (Numbers 14:18). A generation in human terms typically ranges from 22 to 32 years.{2}

The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation. (Numbers 14:18 cf. Exodus 34:7)

Derek Prince: "In my opinion it’s scarcely worth ministering in Southeast Asia if you can’t deal with the subject of the curse because basically ninety-five percent of all the people there are under a curse." {3}
 
Derek Prince: "Many here tonight are fighting something that you don't fully understand in your own life. Some kind of frustration, something that every time you are about to succeed intervenes and keeps you from success. Something that holds you back from being a complete person, from being completely free, from being able to serve the Lord the way you would wish to, from leading a life of real victory. I believe in many cases, the problem that you are fighting with, that you have never diagnosed, you have never come fully to grips with, is that there is a curse over your life."

Derek Prince's answer to generational curses: "The prayer of release from a curse". {4}

Prince's statements above are some of the most wicked deceitful words I have ever heard! Sadly he found no difficulty in finding naive believers who identified with his message. There are no shortage of Christians who find themselves struggling in their walk with the Lord and who have become the victim of Prince's false diagnosis of non-existent curses. What Prince failed to mention is the fact that it would be strange if difficulties were not the case. The scriptures are very clear that various problems will beset believers (1 Peter 4:12). Jesus warned his potential followers to count the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:27-29). The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life (Matthew 7:14; cf. Matthew 5:2-12; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 4:14). The Apostle Paul confessed his struggles with the flesh: For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate (Romans 7:15-23 cf. Galatians 5:17). Paul's story is hardly one of "success" or "victory" in worldly terms; he was shipwrecked, stoned and beaten with rods three times (2 Corinthians 11:25). At one stage, Paul and his companions were so burdened beyond their strength that they despaired of life itself. (2 Corinthians 1:8). Ultimately all the disciples were martyred except John. Were they under a curse? Nowhere in the New Testament does it state that genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can be under a generational curse, and furthermore the apostles taught no such thing! I have personally known Christians who have received "prayers of release/deliverance ministry" several times, but inevitably their struggles continue, and tragically they remain convinced that they are still under some unidentified curse, or that they have a demon. Hence many Christians go back again and again for this kind of "ministry" and are bound to a vicious circle of doubt and oppression, never believing that they are quite free, convinced that something more from the past needs to be exposed in order to release them. The suggestion that ancestral curses have to be dealt with in an extrabiblical manner by some curse-buster or guru is to suggest that the cross alone is in some way deficient in the area of ancestral curses. This powerful lie from the pit of hell is so serious that it actually mounts a bid to strip the cross of Christ of its power and belies the scriptures. It is a very subtle way of making us doubt the word of God which is exactly what Satan wants!

In order to promote his deviant teaching about ancestral curses, Derek Prince used examples of his own spiritual experiences and various "words from the Lord" which he then tied into Old Testament curses. In this specific teaching on YouTube, he spends some time on the twelve curses listed in Deuteronomy 27. These curses were pronounced by the Levitical priests and were to be set up on Mount Ebal once the Israelites had entered the promised land. The curses would be the inevitable result turning away from God and breaking the law of Moses. Prince suggests that these particular curses may be affecting people in his audience, but this is ridiculous. Firstly, we are going back thousands of years, not three or four generations; secondly, we are speaking specifically about curses upon the Israelites, and thirdly, the new birth is required (John 3:18), all who rely on works of the law are under a curse (Galatians 3:10). At Sinai, Moses sprinkled the blood of animals on the altar and upon the people who entered into covenant with God (Exodus 24: 3-8). Once the Israelites entered into the covenant at Sinai, what God required was obedience. God gave no special "prayer of release from an ancestral curse" to Moses and the Israelites in relation to their 400 years spent in Egypt and similarly none is required for Christians. Since we are to make parallels with the Israelites as believers, then we must see that once the Israelites came out of Egypt, generational curses were not an issue. The New Testament identifies the problem: their hearts turned back to Egypt (Acts 7:9; cf. Deuteronomy 30:17). Similarly if we disobey the commandments in the New Testament (John 13:34), then inevitably, there will be consequences (1 Corinthians 10:11). Notice that the key is obedience, forgetting those things that lie behind and straining forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). When we do fail for any reason, then we need to repent. If any ancestral sins did exist before we were converted, the moment we were born again we became a new creation in Christ, the old has passed away; behold, the new has come (1 Corinthians 5:17). We passed from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). The teachings of Derek Prince would destroy our peace in Christ and cause us go backwards, denying what the Lord has achieved on the cross into bondage, curses, death and darkness! Ironically, in preaching a gospel contrary to the scriptures, Prince would have been under a self inflicted curse himself (Galatians 1:8-9).

An important example is Jesus' letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 which identify various critical problems within certain congregations. The remedy was/is repentance (Revelation 2:5, 16, 21, 22). The consequences of remaining unrepentant are dire indeed, but note that nothing more than repentance is needed to restore a right relationship to God. To pray a "prayer of release from a curse" is extrabiblical. Do we really want to be guilty of going beyond what is written and adding to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 1:19; Revelation 22:18; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6)?

THE TRUTH is that anyone coming to faith in Jesus Christ is transformed into a new creation upon conversion: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4 cf. Isaiah 43:18; Ezekiel 36:26). Believers have no remit to go digging around in the past looking for curses, to do such a thing is sinful! Jesus Christ has blessed true believers with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3 cf. Philippians 3:13). Can someone be blessed and cursed at the same time?  We can blame the oppression of Satan, the flesh or the world for our difficulties, but never an ancestral curse (Luke 4:18; John 8:32-36; Romans 8:2). The Apostle Paul taught that our way of thinking needs to be renewed in order to come into agreement with the Word of God (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 4:23 cf. Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:10 cf. 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:14). 

Derek Prince: "Men representing God are authorised to curse things."

Prince: "... Cursing is part of the ministry of a man of God... men of God not only bless, they also curse....." {5} 

Whom did Derek Prince expect Christians to curse? Their enemies? (Matthew 5:44; Mark 11:26; Luke 6:28), or another believer whom we hold something against? (Matthew 18:21). Jesus Christ was quite specific about the consequences of unforgiveness! Paul also instructed: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (Romans 12:14, 2; 1 Corinthians 4:11-12; cf. 1 Peter 3:9; James 3:9). It is clear that followers of Jesus Christ are never permitted to appeal to the precedent of David, Elijah or anyone else in the Old Testament to justify treating enemies in ways that contradict His example and teachings.

Prince gives various examples from the Old Testament in order to justify cursing:

Joshua's curse on the man to rebuild the city of Jericho (Joshua 6:26). Joshua's curse was fulfilled approximately 500 years later during the reign of Ahab, when Hiel, a Bethelite, rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his firstborn and youngest sons (1 Kings 16:34). Prince wanders off into his own eisegetical interpretation, surmising that Hiel's sons wasted away, the cause being undiagnosed by doctors! In fact, Hiel and all Israel would undoubtedly have been aware of Joshua's curse. Actually the manner of the fulfilment of the curse is disputed since there is some question about whether Hiel rebuilt Jericho in defiance of the curse, or whether his sons were intentionally sacrificed. {6} 

The curse of an Old Testament prophet was an inspired prediction of punitive disaster, it did not come from the flesh. Elisha pronounced inspired judgement upon the sin of Gehazi who had lied in vain to the Holy Spirit. The apostles were also so gifted (Acts 5:1-10). We should not confuse this with modern day false "prophets" like Benny Hinn who pronounced a curse upon his detractors. {7}

The Fig Tree

When the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:20-22)

Derek Prince: "Jesus said to them (his disciples) 'you will not only do what was done to the fig tree'... he said 'you can also speak to a mountain'..... notice He authorised them to curse things. I tell you, the power that we have, if we could but realise it, is frightening. We are really rather like Moses - You see a lot of us are like that, we are holding a staff in our hands, we don't realise that if we hold a staff in our hand it can turn into a snake."

Prince's teaching of Jesus' curse on the fig tree is immensely deceptive. There are two accounts of this event in the New Testament: Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14. Critically, Prince completely fails to explain that the fig tree symbolically represents Israel (Hosea 9:10; Matthew 24:32-35). Jesus' curse upon the fig tree symbolises the judgement and rejection of God and His judgement on Israel for failing to bear the fruit he required from the temple. It foreshadows the cleansing of the temple (Mark 11:15-19) and ultimately the prophecy of its destruction. Jesus frequently used the allegory of trees and fruit (Matthew 3:10; 7:19; Luke 3:9; 13:6-9; John 15:2-6). No argument can be made that the example of the fig tree gives Christians authority to pronounce curses on individuals or things at will, especially in view of Jesus' unequivocal teaching about how we should treat our enemies. Such actions belong to the realm of witchcraft and Satanism! God alone is the One who will decide what kind of corrective action will need to be taken with the enemies in our lives, we have no such remit!

Self Imposed Curses

Four godly men in the Old Testament are known to have had a death wish: Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), Job (Job 3:1-2), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:14) and Jonah (Jonah 4:8). In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul and his companions were so utterly burdened beyond their strength that they despaired of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:8). None of these men were under a curse, they undoubtedly fell temporarily into fear, exhaustion and depression at particular times. In other words, they had weaknesses like every one of us. For the Christian, the answer to depression is always to turn directly to God for the answers and for strength. Once again, we do not need to turn to some self appointed guru to obtain release from "the spirit of death" as taught by Derek Prince. Jesus Christ himself was in intense anguish in the garden of Gethsemane and was very sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38). Was Jesus Christ under a curse? Genuine Christians are blessed even in times of depression and weakness. We were darkness, but now we are sons of light and are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8; Luke 16:8; John 12:36). Paul's mission to the Gentiles was to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. (Acts 26:17-18). We see then that Christians are not under the power of curses in any respect once they have truly repented and are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Demonization 

The definition the Greek word daimonizomai (δαιμονίζομαι) Strong's 1139 = possessed, or to be under the power of an evil spirit or demon - to be oppressed and possessed by a demon.{8}

Derek Prince made a very poor argument that "demon possessed" is a mistranslation of the word daimonizomai.{9} In fact, in context, those whom Jesus delivered from demons in the gospels were manifesting actual possession e.g. Legion: Jesus commanded the unclean spirit/s to come out of the man and the demons pleaded: “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.”(Mark 5:1-13). Similarly, the boy with an evil spirit that made him mute was possessed. Jesus commanded: “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. (Mark 9:14-29). My own view is that if a demon has entered a person, if it actually dwells inside a person (Matthew 12:45) and is controlling them, then "possession" is an appropriate word. In Prince's language, there is no distinction between a Christian who is "demonised" and Legion or the boy with an evil spirit whom Jesus delivered. In Prince's thinking their condition is identical. In fact ancient Jewish writers confirm the scriptural view of demon possession as expressed by Flavius Josephus and many others.{10} Derek Prince's ideas on the subject were neither scriptural nor historical (Romans 12:3).  

There is a vast difference between being oppressed from without by Satan, and being possessed or "demonized" as Prince put it. Christians have been bought with a price (I Corinthians 7:23), they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they cannot be indwelt by demons. Those who follow Jesus have passed from death to life (Romans 12:3; John 8:12).

I have written this post in order to repeat my dire warnings about the teachings of Derek Prince, which in my view are pure poison to true followers of Jesus Christ. My previous post covered Prince's ecumenical activities, his association with the Vatican and his leadership role within the infamous Shepherding Movement.{11} Just how many "mistakes" are we supposed to overlook in the case of this wolf in sheep's clothing? It takes rather more than intelligence and pedigree to be a true teacher and servant of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:19; James 3:1). Below Prince admits his mistakes whilst leading the Shepherding Movement, including the sins of personal ambition and legalism. Incredibly he stated that his ministry "took off" after his disassociation from the Shepherding Movement which shattered so many lives. It may have "taken off" numerically, but ultimately it is doubtful how much fruit this man's "ministry" actually produced!



DPM always refer to "Derek's teachings", and this is precisely what they are! They are not Jesus' and the apostles teachings, and they do not pass the test of scripture (1 John 4:1; cf. Matthew 7:15, 24:11). The most deadly form of teaching is the mixture, when truth and error are combined (Deuteronomy 22:11; Hebrews 10:22). Prince's "teachings" are aired by Derek Prince Legacy Radio and iTunes. They are also aired on apostate TV channels like God TV,  TBN and Revelation TV, and they are also widely available on YouTube. It seems to me that DPM have more than your freedom in view (Ezekiel 22:27)! DPM is no small operation! They operate in over 140 countries with 45 offices around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. They boast of promoting over 50 books, 600 audio and 110 video teachings.{12} Large amounts of money are involved through donations, the sale of videotapes, literature, books, paraphernalia etc. Turnover in the UK alone stands at £811,035 {13} with donations alone totalling £876,40 in 2015.{14} To a large degree I believe that the commercial activities of DPM, rather than any love for the truth, explains the hostility that is being directed against me by various DPM associates. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27) 

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

.....if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

If you are associated with DPM or if you earn your living from this ministry, then you need to prayerfully consider the teachings that you promote and their crippling effect upon the Body of Christ. Please do not write to me again with your "experiences" or your opinions. I am always ready to argue from the Word of God, but if you are not prepared to test the spirits then I have nothing to say to you (1 John 4:1; cf. John 10:13).



{1}  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpuEn85G9mc.
{2}  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_time  
{3}  http://www.derekprince.org/Articles/1000085373/DPM_USA/Archive_of_UK/Keys/Blessings_and_Curses/Causes_of_Curses.aspx
{4}   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOhODrm67k
{5}   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RupeqW1NC2A&list=PL16919B450DF02A6A&index=4
{6}   https://www.jstor.org/stable/3140746?seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents
{7}   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wAQ5ftiEqE
{8}   http://biblehub.com/greek/1139.htm
{9} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RupeqW1NC2A
{10} http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5942-exorcism  
{11} http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/derek-prince-false-teacher-wolf-in.html
{12} http://www.dpmuk.org/about/
{13} http://directory.uk-b2b-info.com/org/charity/1123283/derek-prince-ministries-uk/ 
{14} http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends83/0001123283_AC_20150630_E_C.pdf.

Saturday 8 November 2014

DEREK PRINCE FALSE TEACHER WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING!!!

THE SHEPHERDING MOVEMENT HERESY

Derek Prince (1915-2003), was a well-known Bible teacher and author and founder of Derek Prince Ministries International. He was born to a British family in India and he had an impressive résumé as well as a commanding personality. He was highly intelligent and educated as a scholar of Greek and Latin at Eton College and Cambridge University in England and he held a Fellowship in Ancient and Modern Philosophy at King’s College. He also studied Hebrew and Aramaic, at Cambridge University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His daily radio broadcast, Derek Prince Legacy Radio still broadcasts to audiences around the world and his teachings are regularly broadcast on apostate channels like God TV, TBN and Revelation TV.

Derek Prince has the dubious reputation as one of the founders of the unmitigated disaster known as the Shepherding Movement. From 1970 the so called “Fort Lauderdale Five” (FL5) - Derek Prince, Don Basham, Bob Mumford, Charles Simpson and Ern Baxter (former Campaign Manager for proven false prophet and heretic William Branham) worked together in what they termed “covenant relationship". The Shepherding Movement (also known as the Discipleship Movement) operated primarily in the United States, though the teachings were distributed worldwide through the Christian magazine 'New Wine'.

Right from the outset the FL5 committed heresy by going beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6) by entering into an extrabiblical “covenant relationship” with one another. The New Testament tells us that on conversion believers have entered into the New Covenant with Jesus Christ - by default believers are also in covenant with one with another. The grace of the New Covenant, the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, and faith are sufficient - we should never add to the scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6). In other words, this idea of “covenant relationship” was a direct usurpation of the New Covenant and a denial of the cross of Christ. The fleshly idea of “covenant relationship” (as with other false teachings of Derek Prince) finds its theological precedent in the Old Testament not the New. In their arrogance and pride the FL5 proceeded to inflict their oppressive regime onto unsuspecting believers with disastrous results. Shepherding was initially introduced in 1973 by the FL5 at a Christian Growth Ministries (CGM) conference in Leesburg, Florida; it was then enlarged upon at a further CGM men's gathering in Montreat, North Carolina in 1974. This evil movement focused on a regime of extreme authority and submission within the church which later became known as “heavy shepherding”. Ironically the FL5 were incompetent to address the faults they alleged existed within the Charismatic Movement i.e. “individualism and lack of maturity” due to either their own inability or unwillingness to live and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25-26). James 3:1 tells us with very good reason that few within the body of Christ should be teachers. Many people wonder why the charismatic movement is in its current state of failure and apostasy today – this is because it was derailed from the outset by self-elected leaders who were more interested in appeasing Rome and their own aggrandisement than truly following the Lord!

Bill Ligon gives a graphic example of the abuses of the Shepherding Movement in his book: Discipleship: The Jesus Way (Logos, 1979):

“One teacher stated in an article in 1974 that since the purpose of a true disciple was to carry out the will of Jesus Christ, ‘his own will must be broken.’ To do this, the teacher proposed that the disciple learn to obey his leader as a slave, not ‘knowing the ‘why’ of it.’ Then, he said, the day of recognition would come when his leader would tell him ‘Now you are ready.’ A true disciple, he said, could not be promoted or minister beyond ‘the recognition of his leader.’" (p. 221)

EARLY BETRAYAL: THE FL5 FORMED A SECRET COUNCIL AND AN ECUMENICAL ALLIANCE IN 1974! 

The alleged purpose of this unholy alliance was “to strengthen the shepherding system across the denominational lines.” Later on the Council included Roman Catholics Paul DeCelles and Kevin Ranaghan (People of Praise) and Cardinal Suenens among others:

“In 1974 Martin and Clark teamed up with the ‘Fort Lauderdale Five’ (Bob Mumford, Charles Simpson, Derek Prince, Don Basham & Ern Baxter – former secretary to William Branham), who were the founders of the Shepherding Movement, which later became known as the Charismatic Movement (yes, friends, the Shepherding came first!). They were joined by John Poole, another latter Rain adherent. Together these men established a group for ecumenical renewal.

A council was elected whose existence was kept secret as it was not acceptable at the time for Protestants to ‘labour in the Gospel’ with Catholics. For the fledgling Shepherding Movement the money and power of the Vatican were attractive: for Martin and Clark it was a golden opportunity to begin implementing the ecumenical and Charismatic aspirations of Vatican II”.
http://www.christiandoctrine.net/doctrine/articles/article_00171_the_charismatic_movement_web.htm

In 1977, the FL5 secretly met Cardinal Suenens in the Holy Land where they made a joint covert declaration to work together for the restoration of the unity of the Church. The council agreed to relate directly to Cardinal Suenens and to consult him before planning or implementing projects, evangelism, etc. In other words, the FL5 sold out and capitulated absolutely to Vatican control!
https://www.scribd.com/document/56951091/Meeting-Minutes-of-THE-COUNCIL-1974-1977
The General Council Minutes of The “Ft. Lauderdale” Elders makes very interesting reading! This document was obstructed and suppressed for a long time for obvious reasons: “The fuller picture is how these men wove themselves into a multi-apostasy which includes the RCC, the mother of whores.” http://www.seekgod.ca/gc.htm

In 1983 Derek Prince withdrew from the Shepherding Movement due to “reservations”. He publicly expressed regret about his involvement and the FL5 managed to pull off a classic blame shift onto other leaders down the line. However, Derek Prince had not yet finished inflicting his doctrines of demons onto believers by any means. 

1984 ONWARDS

The divisive subject of demonology and deliverance first raised its ugly head in 1971 at the first leaders meeting of the FL5 in Seattle when it caused controversy. After leaving the Shepherding Movement Derek Prince was completely delusional - he said that his ministry “exploded” from 1984 due to God’s blessing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b390cuOymns

Derek Prince now went all out to inflict more human traditions wholesale onto the body of Christ (Mark 7:8) via his extra-biblical teachings on “curses and blessings". His misapplication of the curses of Deuteronomy 28 onto believers is lethal. This teaching is also related to the teaching that Christians can be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and a demonic spirit simultaneously. Much of what is written in Derek Prince’s book 'Curses and Blessing' is simply a regurgitation of false teacher/prophet Kenneth Hagin’s teachings. As a result of these false teachings, Derek Prince screwed up many more Christians lives with his faulty theology. His teachings remain a great threat to many believers to this day.

“Derek Prince died in 2003, and now his teachings are being to half the world’s population through a daily radio program called Derek Prince Legacy Radio. However, it’s extremely important to point out that Prince has another legacy. It’s the shattered lives of those who have been spiritually abused by the destructive Shepherding Movement.” http://thewartburgwatch.com/2011/01/28/the-legacy-of-derek-prince/

CURSES AND BLESSING: A FURTHER DENIAL OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST!

The false teaching that believers remain under a generational curse due to familial or ancestral sin is completely unbiblical. Derek Prince taught that the curses in Deuteronomy 28 are applicable to born-again Christians: "The curses as described will also touch us because of the iniquities our forefathers have committed." In his book ‘Blessing or Curse: You Can Choose’ Prince teaches that Christians need deliverance from these generational curses. However Deuteronomy 28 concerns the Law and was specifically directed to the Israelites:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13)

Even in the Old Testament, generational curses are only applicable to those that hate God:

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6)

The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation. (Numbers 14:18) (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 5:9; Numbers 14:18)

The Bible says that God will by no means clear the guilty. On the cross Jesus Christ removed all our guilt and the penalty of sin. When we are saved we are pronounced NOT GUILTY - we are JUSTIFIED (Galatians 2:16), WE HAVE RECEIVED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD (2 Corinthians 5:21). TRUE BELIEVERS ARE BLESSED – THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT CURSED (Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:3). This teaching is foundational to Christianity, it is not secondary.

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Derek Prince: Charismatics Can Have The Holy Spirit And ANOTHER Spirit (he praises false prophet and teacher William Branham). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1S4P7r9LfA

There is no instance in the New Testament of demons being cast out of believers. This teaching also denies the cross and harms believers by putting them into bondage.

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3) Who has bewitched you? – Paul the apostle refers to these teachings as WITCHCRAFT!

DEREK PRINCE WAS OPERATING IN WITCHCRAFT ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD!

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8) Ironically it would appear that those who deny the cross of Christ by putting believers back under the law through extrabiblical “deliverance ministries” and suchlike are actually the ones who are cursed!

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Derek Prince gave the unbiblical and man-centred “rule”: “Eat the fish and spit out the bones.” However, the apostles and the leaders of the early church protected the flock from the wolves and their doctrines of demons. They went all out to give believers the pure milk of the word of God, not a mixture. It is a leaders responsibility to correctly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Leaders must be faithful men who are able to teach (2 Timothy 2:2; 2:24; 1 Timothy 3:2) - all these qualities were demonstrably lacking in Derek Prince.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)

“A little leaven—the false teaching of the Judaizers. A small portion of legalism, if it be mixed with the Gospel, corrupts its purity. To add legal ordinances and works in the least degree to justification by faith, is to undermine ‘the whole.’ So ‘leaven’ is used of false doctrine (Mt 16:12: compare Mt 13:33)”. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary http://biblehub.com/galatians/5-9.htm

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)

It absolutely sickens me that any church or Christian organization should sing the praises of Derek Prince, arch-deceiver, heretic and traitor of Jesus Christ.



 
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